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What's become very clear in recent days is that Fine Gael are seriously spooked by Sinn Féin's strong position in polls.
They are no match for SF in Dáil or on policies, so they are trying to keep focus off Govt performance by throwing mud & making vague, untrue allegations
They are no match for SF in Dáil or on policies, so they are trying to keep focus off Govt performance by throwing mud & making vague, untrue allegations
The media as usual are willing to tag-along and simply report allegations FG are making and look for comment, rather than actually doing their job by examining or publishing evidence of same.
This is the tactic of the Tories, Trump and other conservative parties across Europe
This is the tactic of the Tories, Trump and other conservative parties across Europe
The other tactic is to hold a party accountable for behaviour of those with similar beliefs – regardless of the fact they are not SF members & constantly demanding party explain behaviour of random nobodies
We can see this in the painting of all criticism of FG/FF as "Shinners"
We can see this in the painting of all criticism of FG/FF as "Shinners"
Some of this is down to the declining quality of journalism. It is poorly paid with bad hours, and the shift to digital means immediacy trumps quality.
This doesn't lend itself to in-depth research and critiques, but fast paced "he said she said" type stories
This doesn't lend itself to in-depth research and critiques, but fast paced "he said she said" type stories
But there is also a clear ideological allegiance between many in journalism (particularly long-time opinion writers) & much of FF/FG/GP who exist in an upper-middle class bubble far removed from the concerns of ordinary citizens and are obsessed with maintaining the status-quo
It's not working, of course.
It's been going on for decades but the ending of State Censorship and the rise of online has changed the playing field.
Citizens aren't as thick as FF/FG take them for, they know their history, but they also know where they want to see Ireland go
It's been going on for decades but the ending of State Censorship and the rise of online has changed the playing field.
Citizens aren't as thick as FF/FG take them for, they know their history, but they also know where they want to see Ireland go
